IMPHAL (Manipur): Philip Adjah scored a late equaliser from the spot that helped hosts NEROCA FC hold defending champions Chennai City FC 2-2 in the I-League here on Saturday.
The hosts went ahead in the blink of an eye, after Khanngam Horam found the net just 21 seconds after kick-off, registering the quickest goal in the tournament.
Mashoor Sheriff equalised midway through the first half before ‘Fito Miranda’ nicked the lead just seconds before the break.
Philip Adjah saved the day for Neroca, converting a penalty in the added time to lay claim on a vital point for his side.
Following their thrilling 4-3 win over Punjab FC, Gift Raikhan opted for just one change – a straight swap at the back with Manjit Sharma replacing Rojen Meetei.
Chennai gaffer Akbar Nawas settled for three alterations. Tarif Akhand and Ranjeet Singh were given the nod in his back three, while Charles Anandraj Lourdusamy came in for Pravitto Raju.
The colourful orange stands of the Khuman Lampak stadium lacked the passionate orange brigade due to the ongoing global pandemic, but the action on the pitch certainly didn’t lack intensity.
Nauzet Santana, who has formidable for Chennai all season, committed a rare goalkeeping error during an attempted clearance.
Neroca talisman Adjah took his chances and closed the Spaniard down, blocking the effort. The ricochet fell to Khanngam Horam, who made no mistake with his first-time finish, granting the hosts a lead inside just 21 seconds – the fastest goal of this Hero I-League campaign.
The early goal had catapulted Neroca with some momentum as Chennai seemed a little nervy off the ball. Adjah, who has eight goals to his name already since signing in the winter, remained menacing throughout the game.
In the 19th minute, he found Pritam Singh inside the box with a slick lay-off and Santana did well to parry Pritam’s effort away. (Source: AIFF)
